monieanne

Hi Ladies! I'm getting sleeved on 12/7. I'm currently on a liquids only diet, and it's going pretty well! I was feeling a little dizziness yesterday, but nothing I can't handle. I tell myself that if I can get through this, then I can get through anything in life. I'm getting sleeved in New Orleans, LA

​Hello ladies!! I am half African American half Puerto Rican ... I will be sleeved on the 5th of November coming up I am so nervous but excited as well!!!! Love this thread!

Hello everyone, where is everyone from, I live in Bear, Delaware and I look forward to having my surgery in March 2016.

I remember it being very difficult getting those requirements in. My doctor told me not to worry early on and that's to be expected. You might want to try adding Protein Powder to your soup. Also, sugar free Popsicles can be included in your liquids requirement. Good luck!

@@VSGAnn2014
I had four consults wit my dietician/nutritionist. It was good information for beginners in WLS. Protein and Water requirements. Vitamin supplements. food portions and stages.
My team from our hospital is great. With this exception. All answers are cookie cut for people in the weightloss stage. Its a one size fits all.
I talked to my dietician at a meeting. I asked about my blood sugars dropping to 35. I'm a type one diabetic. She did not know. Took my information and said she would call me...Never returned my call
I talked with the same nutritionist at another meeting. My hair loss is ridiculous at this point. I'm over a year out and its still falling. She gave me the cookie cut answers that we all get. Biotine, Protein intake.. i had to explain how far I'm out again and I have tried more that what she had mentioned. She took my contact information said she would call me back ....Still have not received a call back.

My entire weight loss for week 4-7 was 2 pounds! Been steadily losing 3-4 week after week 7

Had my one year follow up today. I truly love my bariatric program. The staff is so positive and encouraging! I started at a really high weigh so I knew this would be a longer journey for me. I was 4.8 lbs shy of my (self imposed) 1 year goal. I had a feeling I wouldn't make it, and was thinking I would be disappointed but I'm not. I think it's in large part due to the reaction of my NP, nurse and nutritionist. They all gave good feedback about how well I was doing from where I started. I discussed with the NUT & NP on what I needed to keep going for this next year. They liked that I exercise regularly, keep my Protein at 100grams or more each day and keep a food log. The NUT said some people slip up because they think they have things under control, stop logging and fall back into bad habits. So I'll drop these 5 lbs, hit my 1 year goal a little late and then make my next goal.

You want a conversation? Okay, here it is.
What you are going through is completely normal. 99% of us went through it. It's called the "Dreaded 3 Week Stall". No, you're not failing. No, you're not doomed. No, you're not doing anything wrong. It's physiological. In laymen's terms, your body just takes a break after the rapid weight loss to adjust. Expect to completely stop losing here soon. It may last a week, or it may last several. Hard to say. Not much you can do about this particular stall except ride it out. Once it's over, expect to start losing at a more "normal" pace of 2-4 pounds a week. And yes, you will probably stall again. And again. And go up a pound or even 2. Then lose it again. Then go back up 1. Then lose 3. It's all just part of the normal fluctuations our bodies do. You'll get used to it over time.
Now, here comes the science:
A "stall" a few weeks after surgery is not uncommon, and here's why.
Our bodies use glycogen for short term energy storage. Glycogen is not very soluble, but it is stored in our muscles for quick energy -- one pound of glycogen requires 4 lbs. of Water to keep it soluble, and the average glycogen storage capacity is about 2 lbs. So, when a patient is not getting in enough food, the body turns first to stored glycogen, which is easy to break down for energy. Then when 2 lbs. of glycogen is used a patient will also lose 8 lbs. of Water that was used to store it -- voila -- the "easy" 10 lbs. that most people lose in the first week of a diet.
However, when the body stays in a caloric deficit state the body starts to realize that this is not a short-term problem. Then the body starts mobilizing fat from adipose tissue and burning fat for energy. But the body also realizes that fat can't be used for short bursts of energy. So, it starts converting some of the fat into glycogen, and rebuilding the glycogen stores. As it puts back the 2 lbs. of glycogen into the muscle, 8 lbs. of water has to be stored with it to keep it soluble. So, even though the patient might still be losing energy content to their body, the weight will not go down or it might even gain for a while as the retention of water dissolves the glycogen that is being reformed and stored.

Beans do have more Protein than peas. My dietician allowed beans (very small amounts) because they are considered "high protein," but peas were not approved because they didn't have enough protein to compensate for the carbs.

The thing to keep in mind with MFP is that it's not set up for bariatric patients. I don't eat my calories back, but if I am consistently hungry at a certain level, I know it's time to go up another 100 calories. Before I do that I play around with what I am eating. For me eating more Protein rich foods with carbs before and after my workout tend to help. I burn the calories with my workout and it doesn't leave me starving.

I brought a ton of stuff to the hospital after watching a bunch of YouTube videos but guess what! I didn't use none of it except for slippers, a robe to cover my butt and a pair of comfortable changing clothes. Congrats!!!

My sleeve was 8/3. I had a pretty good recovery, except for the day of surgery, just could not wake up. Only took 1 dose of narcotic when I got home, no nausea, until recently. Saw surgeon today, 2nd time, and he said yes my weight loss is a little slow, but that's OK, slow and steady is best. Said he felt I was somewhat dehydrated and that is causing the nausea, so drink 1 liter of pedialyte for 6 days straight. I am getting in my Protein, but having a hard time fitting in 64 oz of fluids, so he is probably right. I am tolerating the foods, even some steak, trying to stick to 4oz of food, each meal, but I do get hungry. Weight loss is 16 lbs before surgery on pre-op, and only 13lbs since surgery. Nice to read about everyone.

August 11th so today is day 30 and I can transition from pureed foods to soft foods. Eating 80 grams of Protein a day and about 800 calories right now. Lost 22 pounds pre-op but only 13 in the 30 days of post-op. No idea why. I've been following the program and feeling really good. Just stuck at this weight for eight days now. Frustration.
I've been eating mostly yogurt and Protein shakes, some eggs, some pureed meat with light mayo, a little fruit with no skins and some cooked carrots. Not sure what to start up on next for the "soft food" phase. Add more vegetables I suppose. I can handle more than the 3 ounces I'm supposed to have (unfortunately) but haven't been abusing that.
Oh well, time will tell.

Mine hurt s lot too. My doctor said that's because there are internal stich there

Today marks 2 years since my surgery. I never, ever would have thought I would be in the 120s when I started this journey. It has- and I have- surpassed my wildest expectations.
I remember vividly the exact day I decided I had to do whatever it took to lose weight & be healthy. I was at Hershey Park with my then-6th grader daughter on a class field trip. I love parks, and since I didn't have the littles, I was excited to ride the roller coasters with my daughter. So we came to the first one, I squeeeeezed myself into the seat & to get the lap bar down the attendant had to step on it to push it past my huge stomach. I was mortified and my daughter felt terrible for me. I was nearly in tears; in my minds eye, I was no where near that big. I didn't ride another ride the rest of the day & swore at that point I would not let my weight hold me back from experiencing life with my family one more day. It HAD TO change.
Don't you worry. Since then I've OWNED that park!! In fact, the next time I went back was not only to ride every freaking roller coaster in that park, but also to run a 1/2 marathon through the park just over a year later. Take THAT!!! Lol.
Anyway, these 2 years have been amazing. I've learned that my body is capable of so much more than I gave it credit for. I've learned I absolute can accomplish even the most seemingly unreachable goals. I've learned that I could not achieve long-term success without overcoming my eating disorder. I've learned that I deserve good things.
So, it's definitely NOT about the numbers, but I feel like I would be leaving out something someone following this might really want to know if I didn't include them so.... I started my journey at 278.4 pounds & 2 years later I am at 128 pounds. That's a loss of 150 pounds :-). What an amazing journey it's been!!! I even rocked my first bikini ever this year! Ha!
  

I think you should cancel as you are filled with much doubt. I think your doubts are legit and should really be soul searched a bit more. I am not suggesting you shop for a surgeon who agrees with you, but rather get a couple of consults, hear their reasoning, understand the pros and cons of each (especially in the context of MS) before proceeding.
I am very biased as i had a band in 2001 (I have been told they are improved these days) and lived with it, in some misery I might add for 10 years. It is very hard for me to advocate for the band for anyone, but I must also disclose I am an expert on one topic - my own experience.
It is very true that one of the disadvantages - or maybe advantage - of the sleeve is that it is irreversible. Not a decision to take lightly.
I do think one of the reasons I have been very successful with the sleeve is I had alot of gut wrenching soul searching before I committed. I wasn't one of those that ever had a regret - I had really worked through alot of things before having that sleeve surgery.
(life at maintenance has been a whole nother head trip - a topic for another day!)

I went to nutrition classes (mandatory for my surgery to be approved) with a nice young women who was at a similar weight and size to me. She was so pretty, smart, vivacious... I liked her a lot. Not long after surgery she went to a fast food chicken place and ruptured her sleeve eating mashed potatoes and gravy. She didn't seek help (shame? denial?) for over 24 hours. Well, someone sought help for her. She was found unconscious. I didn't go to her funeral.
I sometimes say pretty stern things to people when they talk about NOT following medical advice. I would rather hurt your feelings than read your obituary.
I'm just saying...
Peace

It's not a bad idea to share your struggles, just know there are thousands of people on here and you won't always get the best advice, some people will sugar coat everything, some are more blunt and some just give their own honest opinion. Take it all with a grain of salt. Take the parts that will help you and leave the rest. It's nothing to get yourself worked up over. Only YOU can determine how successful you are no matter what anyone says. Cheer up!@@Lopez1628

I'm in Cypress also, my surgery with Dr St Laurent is scheduled for October 15th pending insurance approval. ????

The problem with coffee is the caffeine. Caffeine is absorbed into the body with the same receptors as Vitamin D. If caffeine is present, you cannot absorb the Vitamin D. On top of that, it also leeches Vitamins out of the body. I have at least a cup of coffee a day, sometimes two. But I also have mega dose prescription of Vitamin D that I take mid day.
As always, talk to your surgeon about these things. My nutritionist is worthless for the most part as I always have more information going in to my appointments than she has prepared. Her appointments feel more like scheduled product sales pitches than anything else.

Stalls are normal. When I was 3 weeks out, I stalled for 2 weeks and I've had several in 9.5 months post-op. Just keep working your plan...the weight will come off. Even with the stalls, I am down 140 lbs since surgery last fall.

I brought a change of clothes to go home, a gown, robe, toothbrush, toothpaste, a book and my phone. I was only in there one night though. I really didn't need most of that stuff because I slept alot and when I wasn't doing that, I was getting up to walk. I went home in the clothes I came in. I didn't read at all.
Hey! So i got my Surgery Date finally. Started this whole process back in Nov2014 and My Surgery Date is *Drum rolls* 9/15/15!!
I Have a few questions?
What did you guys bring to the hospital with you? Personal Stuff?(Tooth Brushes, Pads, ECT)
Did your Friend/Spouse get to Stay in the patient recovery room with you the whole time?
How long did you stay after the surgery was complete?
Did you have a Laptop or Tablet for entertainment?
Should i get my hair put up so i wont have to worry about maintenance for a few days?
What were you prescribed for the pain?
Any other advice for the whole experience would be great too!
The hospital I was in did have a recliner and sofa for someone to stay over night. I wear my hair close cropped so it's low maintenance but I would do something to it if it was longer. I was given liquid tylenol with codeine for pain as well as zofran for nausea.

I brought a bunch of stuff, Chapstick, toothbrush etc. I didn't use ANY of it. I was there one night. Slept most of the time, got up and walked the halls. My hospital gave me toothbrush, socks, mouthwash, etc. I got to admitting at 6a, was in surgery by 7:45, woke up in recovery...well medicated :-) , up to my room. No drain, my surgeon fixed a small hernia. I was out 3pm the next afternoon.
I say bring what you feel you might need. I'm a person who would rather have too much than not have it.

If you just came home today, there's not a lot you can do other than walk and sip. You can get some Gas X but I'm not sure it will work for this type of gas. It might take a couple of days to get the lower gas to start coming out.
It took me a few days to not have that CO2 gas pain to not be the focus.
Congrats and welcome to the losers bench!

@@monieanne and @@Awjones28 thanks for the response... I will be walking again in a second!